The effect of water salinity on the reproductive performance of female hatchery-reared spotted scat was investigated.
Broodfish were reared in a hatchery for 14 months until maturation and selection. Selected broodfish were maintained in 1-m3
tanks with holding water salinities of 5, 15, 25, and 33 ppt. The maturity of the female broodfish was monitored monthly for 4
months after the experiment was initiated. Each month, their reproductive parameters were monitored and their serum 17β-
estradiol (E2) levels and osmolality were determined. The results showed that none of the reproductive parameters including the
E2 profile and blood osmolality differed significantly between treatments except that the ovulation rate of the fish held in water
salinities of 15 and 25 ppt were significantly higher than those of other salinities (P<0.05). This finding indicated that a holding
salinity of 15–25 ppt was optimal for the culture of spotted scat broodstock in hatcheries.